The Stonecrusher

Mixed Media 31 x 44 cm

The crushing plant at the vermilion workings near Sepia Foliate is powered by a small locomotive running beneath it on a circular track. Whilst the locomotive consumes diesel oil its driver drinks large quantities of tea to settle the showers of dust from above. The man in the doorway on the left is employed solely to brew up at frequent intervals but not, it seems, to collect the empty mugs! A spot of track work is about to halt the machinery but as the manager, pocket watch in hand, is overseeing the job, the plant will soon be crunching again.